CVPM Veterinary Law and Ethics 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A veterinarian provides a prescription for a client's pet without a valid Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR). This action is:
- Permissible in an emergency
- A violation of federal and most state regulations (Correct answer)
- Allowed if the client signs a waiver
- Legal for over-the-counter medications only
Correct answer: A violation of federal and most state regulations
A valid VCPR is a legal prerequisite for prescribing in most states and under federal law; prescribing without one violates regulatory requirements.
Question 2: Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, a hostile work environment claim in a veterinary practice requires proof that the conduct was:
- Witnessed by the practice owner
- Severe or pervasive enough to create an abusive work environment (Correct answer)
- Repeated at least three times in writing
- Directed only at a protected class member by a supervisor
Correct answer: Severe or pervasive enough to create an abusive work environment
Title VII hostile work environment claims require that discriminatory conduct be severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would find the workplace hostile.
Question 3: A veterinary practice that accepts Medicare or Medicaid assignment for employees' health plans is subject to which fraud and abuse statute?
- False Claims Act (Correct answer)
- Stark Law
- Anti-Kickback Statute
- RICO Act
Correct answer: False Claims Act
The False Claims Act imposes liability for knowingly submitting false or fraudulent claims to federal healthcare programs including Medicare and Medicaid.
Question 4: A practice manager must decide how long to retain medical records. The AVMA recommends retaining records for at least:
- 1 year after the last visit
- 3 years after the patient's death or last visit
- 5 years, or longer if required by state law (Correct answer)
- Indefinitely for all patients
Correct answer: 5 years, or longer if required by state law
The AVMA recommends retaining medical records for a minimum of 5 years, deferring to state law when it requires a longer retention period.
Question 5: Euthanasia of a healthy animal at the owner's request creates an ethical conflict primarily because:
- It is illegal in all US states
- It conflicts with the veterinarian's duty to the animal's welfare versus respecting client autonomy (Correct answer)
- It requires DEA approval for controlled substances used
- It is only permitted by specialists
Correct answer: It conflicts with the veterinarian's duty to the animal's welfare versus respecting client autonomy
Owner-requested euthanasia of a healthy animal creates tension between client autonomy and the veterinarian's ethical obligation to animal welfare and non-maleficence.
Question 6: Which employment law provision requires veterinary practices to display mandatory workplace notices including minimum wage, OSHA rights, and anti-discrimination information?
- Employee Handbook Requirements Act
- Federal and state mandatory posting requirements (Correct answer)
- NLRA collective bargaining mandate
- FLSA written contract requirement
Correct answer: Federal and state mandatory posting requirements
Federal and state agencies require employers to post specific notices in the workplace informing employees of their rights under labor, safety, and anti-discrimination laws.
Question 7: A practice advertises a specific service at a promotional price but consistently charges more at checkout. This practice violates which regulation?
- OSHA advertising standards
- FTC regulations prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts and practices (Correct answer)
- State veterinary board fee schedule rules
- IRS truth-in-billing requirements
Correct answer: FTC regulations prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts and practices
The FTC prohibits deceptive advertising under Section 5 of the FTC Act; charging more than advertised prices constitutes an unfair or deceptive trade practice.
CVPM Veterinary Law and Ethics 5
A veterinarian provides a prescription for a client's pet without a valid Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR).
This action is: